Goalie helmet with novel strap configuration

ABSTRACT

A sports helmet having a front shell adapted to cover a front portion of a head of a wearer, a rear shell adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the rear shell cooperating with the front shell to surround the head, and a plurality of straps interconnecting the front and rear shells, the straps being connected to the front shell along an inner surface thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to helmets, particularly to goalie helmets used in contact sports such as hockey.

BACKGROUND ART

Typical goalie helmets are usually formed of a mask and a back plate which cooperate to substantially surround the head of the wearer. The back plate and mask are generally interconnected by a plurality of straps which extend along an outer surface of the back plate and are received in slots defined through the mask along a rear edge thereof. A substantial portion of the straps is left exposed and can be subject to damage or become entangled during use. In addition, adjustment mechanisms provided on prior art helmets are generally cumbersome, so that the goalie can necessitate the help of another person to adequately adjust his or her helmet.

Accordingly, improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved sports helmet, particularly an improved goalie helmet.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a goalie helmet comprising a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer, a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to substantially enclose the head of the wearer, and a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, at least one of the straps being connected to the mask along an inner surface thereof.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sports helmet comprising a front shell adapted to cover a front portion of a head of a wearer, a rear shell adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the rear shell cooperating with the front shell to surround the head, and a plurality of straps interconnecting the front and rear shells, the straps being connected to the front shell along an inner surface thereof.

Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a goalie helmet, comprising attaching one end of each of a plurality of straps to an inner surface of a mask of the helmet, attaching a respective adjustment member for each of the straps to a back plate of the helmet, and engaging an opposed end of each of the straps with the respective adjustment member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a particular embodiment of the present invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a goalie helmet in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, with an inner padding layer thereof removed for improved clarity;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the goalie helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the goalie helmet of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the goalie helmet of FIG. 1 shown with the inner padding layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a hockey goalie helmet is generally shown at 10. Although the invention is shown and described as being applied to a hockey goalie helmet, it is understood that the invention can be applied to other types of helmets, such as for example lacrosse helmets, baseball helmets and football helmets.

The helmet 10 comprises a front shell or mask 12, and a rear shell or back plate 14, which cooperate to surround the head of the wearer. In the embodiment shown, the mask 12 is adapted to substantially protect the face as well as a front portion of the head of the wearer. The mask 12 thus includes a top mask portion 16 (FIGS. 2-3) covering part of the top of the head, a front mask portion 18 (FIGS. 1-3) extending from the top mask portion 16 over a major part of the face, a bottom mask portion 20 protruding from the front mask portion 18 below the head to protect the jaw and neck, and side mask portions 22 extending between the top and bottom mask portions 16, 20 on each side of the front mask portion 18 to cover the ears and rear part of the jaw. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the front mask portion 18 includes a window 24 defined therethrough, such as to minimize the interference of the mask 12 with the wearer's vision. A plurality of protection members 26 extend across the window 24 in criss-crossing fashion to prevent entry of foreign objects such as pucks therethrough.

The back plate 14 is adapted to substantially cover a rear part of the head of the wearer, and in use extends partly inwardly of the mask 12 such as to ensure covering of the head at the junction between the mask 12 and back plate 14.

The mask 12 and back plate 14 can be made of any type of adequate material, including but not limited to fiber reinforced materials, thermoplastics, and a combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the back plate 14 includes an adjustment mechanism comprising left and right lower adjustment members 28, 30, left and right upper adjustment members 32, 34 and a top adjustment member 36. The lower adjustment members 28, 30 are connected, preferably in an integral fashion, to a lower plate 38 which is attached on an outer surface 40 of the back plate 14 in proximity of a center of a lower edge 42 thereof. The upper adjustment members 32, 34 and top adjustment member 36 are connected, also preferably in an integral fashion, with an upper plate 44 which is attached to the outer surface 40 of the back plate 14 upwardly offset from the lower plate 38. The lower and upper plates 38, 44 are attached to the back plate 14 by any type of adequate means, such as for example a respective screw 46.

The mask 12 and back plate 14 are interconnected by left and right lower side straps 48, 50 respectively received in the left and right lower adjustment members 28, 30, left and right upper side straps 52, 54 respectively received in the left and right upper adjustment members 32, 34, and a top strap 56 received in the top adjustment member 36.

Referring to FIG. 4, a particular embodiment of the upper left adjustment member 32 is shown and will be described herein, the remaining adjustment members 28, 30, 34, 36 being identical to the upper left adjustment member 32. The upper left adjustment member 32 includes a first fixed member 58 attached to the upper plate 44, two parallel arms 60 extending from opposed sides of the first fixed member 58, and a pivot 62 and second fixed member 66 extending between the two arms 60. The pivot 62 is located between the fixed members 62, 66 in spaced apart relationship therewith. A pinching member 64 includes a cam 65 pivotally received on the pivot 62 and a finger 67 extending from the cam 65. The pinching member 64 is pivotable between a closed position where the finger 67 lies against the second fixed member 66, and an open position where the finger 67 is away from the second fixed member 66.

A free space 68 is defined between the first fixed member 58 and the cam 65, through which the strap 52 extends. The strap 52 then passes between the cam 65 and the back plate 14, between the cam 65 and the second fixed member 66, and between the finger 67 and the second fixed member 66. The shape of the cam 65 and its position relative to the second fixed member 66 is such that the pinching member 64 is frictionally retained in the closed position, thus pinching the strap 52 between the finger 67 and the second fixed member 66.

As such, the pinching member 64 is manually disengaged from the closed position when the length of the strap 52 extending between the mask 12 and the back plate 14 needs to be adjusted. With the pinching member 64 pivoted away from the closed position, the strap 52 is free to move between the finger 67 and the second fixed member 66, thus allowing the strap 52 to be pulled in either direction to adjust a length thereof. The pinching member 64 is then returned to its closed position against the second fixed member 66 when the desired length for the strap 52 is reached.

As such, the helmet 10 can be adjusted while on the head of the wearer, simply by reaching the adjustment members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, disengaging the respective pinching member 64 from its closed position, adjusting the length of the respective strap 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and re-engaging the respective pinching member 64 in its closed position.

It is understood that a number of alternate adjustment members can be used, as long as each adjustment member 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 is able to retain the respective strap 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 at a desired length and to allow that desired length to be changed. In an alternate embodiment, the straps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 are made of an elastic material and the adjustment members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 can be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the left and right lower side straps 48, 50 respectively extend from the left and right lower adjustment members 28, 30 through left and right lower holes 70, 72 defined through the back plate 14. The left and right lower side straps 48, 50 are then connected, preferably in a detachable fashion, respectively to left and right attachment points 74, 76 defined in an outer surface 77 of the bottom mask portion 20. The detachable connection between the mask 12 and the lower side straps 48, 50 can be made for example through a respective snap type fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the left and right upper side straps 52, 54 respectively extend from the left and right upper adjustment members 32, 34 through left and right upper holes 78, 80 defined through the back plate 14. The left and right upper side straps 52, 54 then respectively pass through left and right guiding members 82, 84 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) which extend from an inner surface 86 of the mask 12 along a respective one of the side mask portions 22. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the upper side straps 52, 54 are then attached to a same connection member 88, which is in turn connected to the inner surface 86 of the mask 12 in a part of the top mask portion 16 which is adapted to extend substantially over the forehead of the wearer, i.e. which is adjacent the window 24.

The top strap 56 extends from the top adjustment member 36 through a top hole 90 (see FIG. 2) defined through the back plate 14 and is connected to the connection member 88 (see FIG. 3) together with the upper side straps 52, 54.

Referring to FIG. 4, the helmet 10 further includes an inner padding layer 92, which comprises a mask padding layer 94 secured to the inner surface 86 of the mask 12, and a back plate padding layer 96 secured to an inner surface 98 of the back plate 14. The mask padding layer 94 is secured to the inner surface 86 of the mask 12 along a portion thereof only, for example along a portion receiving the connecting member 88. As such, free portions 95 of the mask padding layer 94 extending over the top mask portion 16 and the side mask portions 22 are free to move relative thereto. Similarly, the back plate padding layer 96 is secured to the inner surface 98 of the back plate 14 along a portion thereof only, for example along a portion receiving the lower and upper plates 38, 44. As such, free portions 97 of the back plate padding layer 96 are free to move relative to the back plate 14.

The inner padding layer 92 can be made of any type of appropriate material, including but not limited to foam, fabric, an adequate polymer, a Styrofoam-type material, or any other material that may serve to absorb and/or limit the effects of a force applied on the helmet and/or provide comfort to the wearer.

The upper and top straps 52, 54, 56 extend along the inner surface 98 of the back plate 14 between the back plate 14 and the free portions 95 of the back plate padding layer 96, and along the inner surface 86 of the mask 12 between the mask 12 and the free portions 97 of the mask padding layer 94. As such, tensioning of the straps 52, 54, 56 presses the free portions 95, 97 of the inner padding layer 92 against the head of the wearer, thus providing a tighter fit of the helmet 10 around the head.

The helmet 10 thus presents several advantages. For example, the straps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 principally extend within the helmet 10, and as such have a minimal risk of becoming entangled with other equipment or damaged during play. The adjustment members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 provide for an easy adjustment between the mask 12 and back plate 14, such that the wearer can put the helmet 10 on and adjust it without outside help. The upper and top straps 52, 54, 56 extending between the inner padding layer 92 and the helmet 10 provide for an improved fit of the helmet 10 by adjusting the inner padding layer 92 around the wearer's head, which increases safety and comfort.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without department from the scope of the invention disclosed. For example, the mask 12 and back plate 14 can be interconnected by more or less than five straps. The lower side straps 48, 50 can also be connected to the inner surface 86 of the mask 12. The adjustment members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 can be provided on other locations, for example along the length of the respective strap 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 extending between the mask 12 and back plate 14. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. 

1. A goalie helmet comprising: a mask adapted to cover a front portion of a head and a face of a wearer, the mask including a window defined therein for minimizing an interference of the mask with a vision of the wearer; a back plate adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the back plate and the mask cooperating to substantially enclose the head of the wearer; and a plurality of straps interconnecting the back plate and the mask, at least one of the straps being connected to the mask along an inner surface thereof.
 2. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the straps are connected to the back plate through an adjustment mechanism allowing a length of the straps extending between the mask and the back plate to be changed.
 3. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member for each of the straps, each adjustment member including a pinching member pivotable between a closed position where the pinching member retains the strap to prevent the length from being changed, and an opened position where the pinching member releases the strap to allow the length to be changed.
 4. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the helmet includes an inner padding layer resting against at least one of the inner surface of the mask and an inner surface of the back plate, the inner padding layer including free portions movable with respect to a respective one of the inner surfaces, and the straps extend between the free portions and the respective inner surface such that a tension in the strap results in the free portions being moved toward the head of the wearer.
 5. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the straps is connected along the inner surface proximate the window.
 6. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least one of the straps is connected in a portion of the mask adapted to extend substantially over a forehead of the wearer.
 7. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the straps includes a top strap extending from the back plate along the inner surface of the mask over a top of the head of the wearer, and left and right side straps extending from the back plate along the inner surface of the mask over respectively a left and right side of the head of the wearer.
 8. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 7, wherein the top strap, left side strap and right side straps are attached to a same connection member retained to the inner surface of the mask.
 9. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 8, wherein the connection member is retained on the inner surface upwardly offset from the window in proximity thereof.
 10. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the straps is connected to the back plate along an outer surface thereof, and passes through a respective hole defined through the back plate before being connected to the mask along the inner surface thereof.
 11. A sports helmet comprising: a front shell adapted to cover a front portion of a head of a wearer; a rear shell adapted to cover a rear portion of the head of the wearer, the rear shell cooperating with the front shell to surround the head; and a plurality of straps interconnecting the front and rear shells, the straps being connected to the front shell along an inner surface thereof.
 12. The sports helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein the straps are connected to the rear shell through an adjustment mechanism allowing a length of the straps extending between the front and rear shells to be changed.
 13. The goalie helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member for each of the straps, each adjustment member including a pinching member pivotable between a closed position where the pinching member retains the strap to prevent the length from being changed, and an opened position where the pinching releases the strap to allow the length to be changed.
 14. The sports helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein the helmet includes an inner padding layer resting against the inner surface of the front shell, the inner padding layer including free portions movable with respect to the inner surface, and the straps extend between the free portions and the front shell such that a tension in the strap results in the free portions being moved toward the head of the wearer.
 15. The sports helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein the straps are connected along the inner surface in a portion of the front shell which in use is located over a forehead of the wearer.
 16. The sports helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein the straps include a top strap extending from the rear shell along the inner surface of the front shell over a top of the head of the wearer, and left and right side straps extending from the rear shell along the inner surface of the front shell over respectively a left and right side of the head of the wearer.
 17. The sports helmet as defined in claim 16, wherein the top strap, left side strap and right side straps are connected to a same connection member attached to the inner surface of the front shell.
 18. The sports helmet as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the straps is connected to the rear shell along an outer surface thereof, and passes through a respective hole defined through the rear shell before being connected to the front shell along the inner surface thereof.
 19. A method of assembling a goalie helmet, comprising: attaching one end of each of a plurality of straps to an inner surface of a mask of the helmet; attaching a respective adjustment member for each of the straps to a back plate of the helmet; and engaging an opposed end of each of the straps with the respective adjustment member.
 20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein each adjustment member is attached to an outer surface of the back plate, and before engaging the opposed end of each of the straps with the respective adjustment member, a respective hole for each of the straps is formed in the back plate, and the opposed end of each of the straps is passed through the respective hole. 